Ceiling structure



Nov. 22, 1966 J. 1.. COTTER CEILING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 31, 1963 INVENTOR.

7% ame; L. Coffer ATTORN EY.

Nov. 22, 1966 J. L. COTTER CEILING STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed July 31, 1963 INVENTOR. Jame; L Caf/er ATTORNEY.

J- L COTTER Nov. 22, 1966 CEILING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 31, 1963 ATTOKN Ef United States Patent 3,286,427 CEILING STRUCTURE James L. Cotter, Hastings, Mich., assiguor to Hastings Aluminum Products Inc., Hastings, Mich. Filed July 31, 1963, Ser. No. 298,901 Claims. (Cl. 52-483) This invention relates to ceiling and like structures of the multiple panel type.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a structure of the multiple panel type in which the supporting frame is very strong and rigid.

Second, to provide a structure of the multiple panel type comprising longitudinal and transverse members which are formed from the same stock and have the same cross sectional shape and are rigid in proportion to the gauge of sheet metal stock used in the forming thereof.

Third, to provide a coupling means for the longitudinal and transverse members in which they are in coacting engaging relation and are connected by a simple form of coupling means.

Fourth, to provide a structure having these advantages in which there is substantially no waste of stock in the forming of parts.

Fifth, to provide fastening or coupling members for the main cross support members formed of wire stock which may be quickly inserted and adjusted to operative position.

Sixth, to provide a structure having these advantages which is well adapted to support panels of fibrous springably resilient material and of which the panels are secured by means integral with the panel support means.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of an assembly embodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view illustrating a pair of cross support members which are shown in coacting engaged position in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view illustrating coupling means for sections of the main support members.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing further details of the coupling means, supporting tongues being shown in panel clamping position by full lines and adjusted position of the other being indicated by dotted lines.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the assembled relation of the panels to the panel supporting means taken on a line corresponding to 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled relation of the main and cross support members and the fastener means therefor.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary bottom view of an embodiment of my invention including the reinforcing and joint covering member.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary View on a line corresponding to line 1010 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 1111 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one of the fastener members.

FIG.,13 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on a line corresponding to line 1313 of FIG. 3 illustrating one of the steps in assembling a fastener member.

FIG. 14 is a similar fragmentary view illustrating another fastener step in adjusting the member; the final position of the fastener member to coacting parts.

It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not made according to scale and that in commercial use there may be substantial variation in the size and shape of the panels and corresponding variation in the panel support members to the size and shape of the panels. While the panel-s illustrated are of fibrous material, the structure being especially desirable for supporting such panels, the frame structure may be used for supporting various types of panels, that is panels which are not formed of springably resilient material bit, for example might be formed of fiberboard or the As stated, the panels 1 are formed of fibrous springably resilient material of substantial uniform thickness. The support means for the panels comprise a plurality of laterally space-d parallel main support members 2 and a plurality of cross support members 3, these members being spaced to supportingly receive the panels 1.

It will be understood that while the term main and cross support members are used they are of equal importance so far as supporting the panels 1 are concerned. However, the main support members are provided with suspending means conventionally illustrated at 4, see FIG. 1. These support members are not illustrated in other figures as they do not form or constitute a part of this invention.

These main and cross members are desirably formed of sheet metal stock and have web portions 5 of substantial width, the reinforcing heads 6 on their upper edges formed by rolling the edges of the members upon themselves and laterally projecting flanges 7 on their lower edges formed by folding the lower portion of the stock. The edge of one flange is formed by folds and the other flange has a curved upturned edge 8 which gives the flanges the same appearance when viewed from below.

The main support members 2 have vertical slots 9 in their web portions, the upper and lower ends 10 of the slots being spaced from the upper and lower edges of the web portion of the main support member, see FIG. 3. These slots are of a width to supportedly receive the tongues 11 on the web portions of the cross support mem bers 3, the outer edges of these tongues being in supporting engagement with the top and bottom edges of the slot, the inner edges 12 of the tongues being in coacting supporting engagement. In the preferred embodiment these edges are substantially inclined so that a wedging action results when the tongues are forced toward each other to assembled position, as is illustrated in FIG. 3, and the upper and lower edges of the tongues are forced against the end edges of the slots.

The web portions of these cross members 3 have shoulder portions 13 above the slots, one member having a shoulder 14 below the tongue 15. These shoulders and tongues engage the web portions of the longitudinal member, as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The tongues have holes 16 adapted to receive the fastening members 17 which are formed of springable wire stock and have angularly disposed support engaging members 18 at one end and loop-like support engaging members 20 at the other end. This constitutes a fingerpiece facilitating the rotative adjustment of a fastener member after it has been inserted through a hole 16, see FIG. 13 which shows one initial position in which the fastener can be inserted.

After it is inserted, as indicated in FIG. 13, the fastener is manipulated by swinging the fingerpiece upwardly o1 downwardly which results in bringing the tip portion 18 into springable clamping engagement with the longitudinal member, see the enlarged views FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. This results in the beads of the cross members being brought into clamping engagement with the bead portion of the longitudinal members and the flange portions of the cross members being brought into clamping engagement with the edges of the flanges of the longitudinal members, see FIG. 3, also the shoulder portions on the Web of the cross members being brought into clamping engagement with the web of the longitudinal members. The result is that these parts merely by these fasteners are brought into engagement so there is practically no tilting movement.

As an ornamental feature and also as a further coupling means I provide the coupling plates 21 which are preferably dished, as illustrated, and which have four tongues 22 angularly spaced to be fittingly disposed between the main and cross members and are connected upwardly and inwardly in clamping engagement with the flanges. It will be noted the edges of these tongues are in supported engagement with the edges of the bottom flanges which prevent tilting movement of the main and cross members relative to each other. As stated, the ends of the cross member flanges are in fitting relation with the edges of the flanges of the main cross members.

In FIG. 6 I illustrate coupling means for sections of the longitudinal members, the ends of which are disposed in abutting relation and there are aligned slots 23 in the edges thereof and spaced vertical slots 24 in the web portion. The coupling member 25 is provided with offsets 26 and 27 which are disposed through the slots 24, being preferably folded in position as indicated in FIG. 6. The coupling members are also provided with offsets 28 engaged in the slots 23 in the ends of the support members. The end edges of the support members including the flanges are held in thrust supported engagement. With this arrangement the sections of the longitudinal members are effectively connected by the operator on the job. It will be understood that the space to which the apparatus is to be applied varies greatly and this arrangement facilitates the adaptation to spaces of various sizes. The main support members are provided with a plurality of clamping tongues 29 which are folded down upon and to some extent into the panels 1.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other adaptations or embodiments as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A multiple panel structure comprising a plurality of panels, support means for said panels comprising a plurality of parallel main support members and a plurality of cross support members spaced to supportingly receive said panels, said main and cross support members having web portions of substantial width with laterally projecting flanges on their lower edges, said main support members having vertical slots in the web portions thereof, the upper ends of which terminate in spaced relation to the top and the lower ends in spaced relation to the bottom of the webs of said main support members, said cross members being disposed with their flanges in end thrust engagement with the flanges of said main support members, said cross members having tongues projecting from the ends of their web portions disposed through said slots in said main support members with the end edges of the webs of said cross members above and below said tongues in thrust supporting engagement with the webs of said members, the lower edge of one tongue of a pair being engaged with the bottom end of the slot and the upper edge of the other tongue of the pair being engaged with ,the upper end of the slot, the inner edges of said tongues being inclined and in supporting engagement with each other, said tongues having holes therein, springably resilient fastener members disposed in said rotatable in said holes in said tongues and having angularly disposed support member engaging portions at one end and a loop-like engaging member at the other end which constitutes a fingerpiece facilitating rotative adjustment of the fastener member after it has been inserted in a hole in a tongue to position the angularly disposed portion in engagement with the adjacent side of the main support member and with the loop portion in engagement with the support member to prevent rotative movement of the fastener member after it has been adjusted to clamping position.

2. A multiple panel structure comprising a plurality of panels, support means for said panels comprising a plurality of parallel main support members and a plurality of cross support members spaced to supportingly receive said panels, said main and cross support members having web portions of substantial width with laterally projecting flanges on their lower edges, said main support members having vertical lots in the web portions thereof, the upper ends of which terminate in spaced relation to the top and the lower ends in spaced relation to the bottom of the webs of said main support members, said cross members being disposed with their flanges in end thrust engagement with the flanges of said main support members, said cross members having tongues projecting from the ends of their web portions disposed through said slots in said main support members with end portions of the webs in thrust supporting engagement with the webs of said main support members, the lower edge of one tongue of a pair being engaged with the bottom edge of the slot and the upper edge of the other tongue of the pair being engaged with the upper edge of the slot, the inner edges of said tongues having means thrust wedging supported engagement, said tongues having holes therein, and clampingly adjustable fastener members disposed in said holes in said tongues.

3. A multiple panel structure comprising a plurality of panels, support means for said panels comprising a plurality of parallel main support members and a plurality of cross support members spaced to supportingly receive said panels, said main and cross support members having web portions of substantial width with laterally projecting flanges on their lower edges, said main support members having vertical slots in the web portions thereof, said cross members being disposed with portions of their flanges in end thrust engagement with the flanges of said main support members and having tongues projecting from the ends of their web portions disposed through said slots in said main support members with portions of the webs of said cross members in thrust supporting engagement with the webs of said main support members, the lower edge of one tongue of a pair being engaged with the bottom edge of the slot and the upper edge of the other tongue of the pair being engaged with the upper edge of the slot, the inner edges of said tongues having means in Wedging thrust supported engagement, said tongues having holes therein, and fastener members disposed in said holes in said tongues.

4. A structure of the class described comprising panel support means comprising a plurality of parallel main support members and a plurality of cross support members, said main and cross support members having web portions of substantial width with laterally projecting flanges on their lower edges, said main support members having vertical slots in the web portions thereof, the upper ends of which terminate in spaced relation to the top and the lower ends in spaced relation to the bottom of the webs of said main support members, said cross members being disposed with their flange in end thrust engagement with the flanges of said main support members, said cross members having tongues projecting from the ends of their web portions disposed through said slots in said main support members with the end edges of the webs of said cross members above and below said tongues in thrust supporting engagement with the webs of said members, the lower edge of one tongue of a pair being engaged with the bottom end of the slot and the upper edge of the other tongue of the pair being engaged with the upper edge of the slot, the inner edges of said tongues having means in wedge thrust supported engagement, said tongues having holes therein, and fastener members disposed in and rotatable in said holes in said tongues.

5. A structure of the class described comprising panel support means comprising a plurality of parallel main support members and a plurality of cross support members, said main and cross support members having web portions of substantial width with laterally projecting flanges on their lower edges, said main support members having vertical slots in the web portions thereof, said cross members being disposed with their flanges in end thrust engagement with the flanges of said main support members, said cross members having tongues projecting from the ends of their web portions disposed through said slots in said main support members with the end edges of the Webs of said cross members above and below said tongues in thrust supporting engagement with the webs of said members, the lower edge of one tongue of a pair being engaged with the bottom end of the slot and the upper edge of the other tongue of the pair being engaged with the upper edge of the slot, the inner edges of said tongues being inclined and in thrust engagement, said tongues having holes therein, and springably resilient fastener members disposed in and rotatable in said holes in said tongues.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,225,727 5/1917 Brogden 287--189.36 3,010,550 11/1961 Lydard 52-484 3,023,861 3/1962 Bak 52484 3,032,833 5/1962 Stanley 52484 3,089,570 5/1963 ONeil 52-484 3,119,475 1/1964 Adams 52-573 FOREIGN PATENTS 520,343 4/ 1940 Great Britain.

632,610 11/ 1949 Great Britain.

849,847 9/ 1960 Great Britain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

HENRY C. S-UTHERLAND, Examiner.

I. L. RIDGILL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MULTIPLE PANEL STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PANELS, SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID PANELS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL MAIN SUPPORT MEMBERS AND A PLURALITY OF CROSS SUPPORT MEMBERS SPACED TO SUPPORTING RECEIVE SAID PANELS, SAID MAIN AND CROSS SUPPORT MEMBERS HAVING WEB PORTIONS OF SUBSTANTIAL WIDTH WITH LATERALLY PROJECTING FLANGES ON THEIR LOWER EDGES, SAID MAIN SUPPORT MEMBERS HAVING VERTICAL SLOTS IN THE WEB PORTIONS THEREOF, THE UPPER ENDS OF WHICH TERMINATE IN SPACED RELATION TO THE TOP AN THE LOWER ENDS IN SPACED RELATION TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WEBS OF SAID MAIN SUPPORT MEMBERS, SAID CROSS MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED WITH THEIR FLANGES IN END THRUST ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FLANGES OF SAID MAIN SUPPORT MEMBERS, SAID CROSS MEMBERS HAVING TONGUES PROJECTING FROM THE ENDS OF THEIR WEB PORTIONS DISPOSED THROUGH SAID SLOTS IN SAID MAIN SUPPORT MEMBERS WITH THE END EDGES OF THE WEBS OF SAID CROSS MEMBERS ABOVE AND BELOW SAID TONGUES IN THRUST SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WEBS OF SAID MEMBERS, THE LOWER EDGE OF ONE TONGUE OF A PAIR BEING 